Dustin Celestino reflects on ‘Elehiya,’ finding family through Virgin Labfest

Dustin Celestino says Virgin Labfest feels like family reunion as “Elehiya” earns acclaim and marks personal, creative growth.

Dramatist and filmmaker Dustin Celestino has looked back on his latest staging at the Virgin Labfest with gratitude, saying his one-act play “Elehiya” became memorable not only for its warm reception but also for reminding him of the community that has shaped him as an artist.

One of the most critically acclaimed productions and an audience favorite during this year’s Virgin Labfest, “Elehiya” marked another milestone for Celestino, who reflected on how differently he now experiences the annual festival compared to when he first joined in 2018.

“Back then, every show had high stakes, because I always felt like it was my reputation as an artist on the line,” he wrote in a social media post. He admitted that insecurity and impostor syndrome once drove him to obsess over negative reviews, even after successful performances.

Eight years later, however, Celestino said the festival has come to mean something far more valuable than recognition.

“More than any honor that could be gained, I was just happy to be around the community I’ve grown to love,” he said, recalling how every performance of “Elehiya” filled him with gratitude for the artists who gave life to emotions he struggled to express on his own.

The playwright also paid tribute to the cast and creative team behind the production, crediting veteran actors Dennis Marasigan and Carlitos Siguion-Reyna as surrogate fathers, while describing director Ron Capinding and actor Yan Yuzon as “kuyas” who reminded everyone not to take life too seriously. He also praised fellow cast members Rafa Siguion-Reyna and John Sanchez for bringing youthful passion and enthusiasm to the production.

Beyond the play itself, Celestino said the Virgin Labfest has given him confidence, career opportunities, and lasting friendships over the years.

“Every year I return feels like a family holiday reunion where every face I see is someone I share a beautiful memory and history with,” he wrote.

He also expressed gratitude to the Virgin Labfest organizers, The Writer’s Bloc, Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, festival directors Marco Viaña and Toni Go-Yadao, and his wife, Janel Gutierrez Celestino, whom he described as the “invisible hand” behind much of his work.

Closing his message, Celestino encouraged others to cherish every moment, writing that life is short and that “all we’ll have are memories,” a sentiment that echoes the reflective spirit of “Elehiya,” one of this year’s standout productions at the Virgin Labfest.

READ: